Tips on ponifying my human OC?

[CadetGrey 267]

Hello there everypony!
 

I've been meaning to make a pony OC for quite a while. I've created a character I'd very much like to become a pony, but I'm doubting on what sort of pony I'll make her.
Here's a quick drawing of her so you get an idea of what she looks like as a human:

 

Alright! Now that you know how she looks like, here's my main question: what pony race do I make this OC? Should I make her an Earth pony, because that seem to be the strongest race? Or do I make her a Crystal Pony, since she's a knight/medieval OC? Or a unicorn, or a pegasus? I really don't know, so I'd like to hear some opinions on the topic, and even if you have no clear reasoning as to why you think she'd look best as a _____, I'd still be very grateful.

 

Also, what sort of Cutie Mark do you think would fit a rather stubborn knight? I could, of course, go for a shield, but that seems a little cliché for me. I don't want to end up having a female Shining Armour.

 

Lastly, I know her fur will be grey. So what colour do I make her mane? Purple or blond? I'm a bit afraid blond would make her look like our dear Derpy Hooves, and even though I adore Derpy's colours, I wouldn't want to rip off anything.

 

I'd appreciate some help here, guys! I'll be very grateful if you'd give me some tips, even if it would only be one suggestion.

Brohoof! /)

[Colorful Respawn 399]

Aw, she looks so cute!

 

Here is my opinion on race, cutie mark, etc,

 

Race:

 

Unicorn

 

Mane and tail color:

 

 Purple with a gold highlight

 

Cutie Mark:

 

Could you give me a bit more on her personality then she's stubborn?

 

Coat color:

 

White or silver?

Edited April 14, 2014 by Gemini V2

[Imagine 284]

She's very cute, and I think she'd make a great pony. Honestly, I could see her as an earth pony. A very strong earth pony. Her colors... gray coat, but not light like Derpy's, I think a bit darker would do, and her mane should be short, and dark blonde. I feel like her cutie mark could be a sword AND shield, or a javelin, maybe.

[CadetGrey 267]

\@, thank you very much for replying, and the compliment. I love the idea about the mane!
Let's see, what's to say about her? Since she hasn't got a ponified name yet, let's call her Mary. Other than that she's stubborn, I'd say that Mary is very protective to those she cares about, even though she doesn't always show it. She's very ambitious and wishes to be famous one day. She's very confident, but can be very taken aback when someone outshines her. Last but not least I'd say she's very adventurous, a little naive and she loves legends and myths. I hope that helps a bit?

@@Imagine, you too, thank you for replying! These are some good suggestions, especially about the coat being a bit darker. I really appreciate the help!

[Colorful Respawn 399]

How about, for a cutie mark, two swords crisscrossing behind a storm cloud?

[SFyr 1,982]

Given the heavier armor and more stubborn personality, I would likely choose one of the earthly races, being either earth pony or crystal pony.

The following will be my opinionated evaluation of the different races, and some general trends, themes, or special asset groups I believe are a good guide to follow--at least if you agree with my interpretation. If not, that's chill.

Anyways.

 

Unicorns are academic. Their approach to life is usually through intellect, cunning, tricks, or planning. Their abilities tend to lie in versatility, or a specialized field of magic, such as defensive barriers, pyrotechnics, illusions, gem/minerals, etc. In this way, they can sometimes surpass other races' physical limitations if their specialization lines up with that field, but they are vulnerable to the glass cannon effect of trading off resilience for power (or gain situational-resilience in exchange for overall-resilience and power).

Meanwhile, Pegasi are big on agility. They seem to be a race about freedom and strength of heart. They seem to be the brave, non-academic ones who charge into things and play things off by the seat of their non-existent pants. While not a true rule, they don't seem big on the patient approach, but instead take the hard but quick road that takes a lot of guts to pull off. Nonetheless, while most likely to have one of the strongest fighting spirits, I don't see them having as big a strength in defense. They seem to be powerful, but lower on strength, endurance, and steadiness. Just going by the level of armor your OC is wearing, it strikes me as more than an airborne pegasus would tolerate given how much it may slow down their flight. Too much of their value seems to be in their speed and maneuverability.

Meanwhile, I consider the the earth ponies to be the more patient, enduring group. They have power and resilience on their side to not charge, not specialize, but to resist and break down through the power of force and persistence. While not as head-on dangerous as pegasi or specialized unicorns, they feel a good bit more rounded to me in that they have power, durability, and a moderate amount of agility they can use to their advantage. They would likely take better than any other race to a bulky armor, and would put it to the best use, especially since they will likely need their heavy armor if they're going to get in close and suffer a few blows before wiping the floor with their opponent. Physically, I also see them being the most powerful.

I personally don't know what to make of crystal ponies; to me they seem like borderline enchanted earth ponies, where they trade off some level earth-pony spirituality for magical resilience (either thaumatic or physical, or even both).

 

Also, for a knight, I believe a weapon or armor piece would be a likely choice for a cutie mark, or something symbolic of their heart/reason for being a knight. I don't think a shield would be a bad choice, and honestly, there are a good deal of different shield types to choose from. Heck, if nothing else, you can combine the shield with something else.

But, a shield does seem to indicate a personality type or skill set more affinitive with defense than offense. Though, even weaponry can have a slightly defensive connotation depending on how they're arranged. A sharp, curved blade pointed upward would probably be more offensive than a broadsword pointed downwards.

Or, a sword and shield, with the sword pointed downwards. To me that seems fairly fitting of a warrior guardian.

 

As for color... I'm not overly strong on that point.   I think it would be fitting to do a darker blonde, or a dirty blonde instead of Derpy's bright yellow-blonde mane. Though, it's really your design. 

Edited April 15, 2014 by SFyr

[CadetGrey 267]

@@SFyr, Thank you very much for the thought-out reply. I'm really happy with the information you gave me, it helped me clear some things up! I'm leaning towards an earth pony now. I'll try to sketch some designs (first time drawing ponies... whelp!) and vary a bit to see what race would look best (it plays a part, but not as big as the logic that goes behind it, of course). Thank you for your time!

[Sobori 46]

I see lots of OC's have the same color combinations as cannon and other oc's so don't be afraid of that. But most importantly it is your oc so have fun with her, I changed Sobori several times before she was this adorable bit of epicness you see before you. A good model for her would be unicorn, apropriate for a medievil knight charactor. Colors are anything you feel is right, try scketching it out a few times with different colors, also let the cutie mark come naturally. Swords might be nice, as would a sheild.

[CadetGrey 267]

I drew her just now. What do you guys think?
 

EARTH PONY

 

UNICORN

 

PEGASUS

Edited April 22, 2014 by CadetGrey

[SFyr 1,982]

@@SFyr, Thank you very much for the thought-out reply. I'm really happy with the information you gave me, it helped me clear some things up! I'm leaning towards an earth pony now. I'll try to sketch some designs (first time drawing ponies... whelp!) and vary a bit to see what race would look best (it plays a part, but not as big as the logic that goes behind it, of course). Thank you for your time!

No problem at all.   Again, I can't really peg how different an earth pony is from a crystal one though, but whatever makes sense or feels right to you is very likely to be your best bet. 

I wish you luck with working out your OC (and drawing up refs)~! 

 

Have an awesome day!

 

Well, didn't expect that update so soon, haha. Regardless, awesome work on her!   Look-wise, I prefer earth pony or pegasus.

Though I stand by my bit of her feeling more like an earth pony to me.   Of course you have the final say, her being your character~ ♪♫

Edited April 17, 2014 by SFyr

[CadetGrey 267]

@@SFyr, wowza, your comment was placed JUST after I posted the drawings. Haha, thank you. though! You have an awesome day as well. /)

[SFyr 1,982]

@@SFyr, wowza, your comment was placed JUST after I posted the drawings. Haha, thank you. though! You have an awesome day as well. /)

Yuuup.   Wasn't expecting that, but I guess it happens sometimes, eh?   Edited it a tad just now.

(\

Edited April 17, 2014 by SFyr

[CadetGrey 267]

 

 

 Purple with a gold highlight

 

How about, for a cutie mark, two swords crisscrossing behind a storm cloud?

 

Loved the ideas, I used them in the design! (Slightly edited, though. The storm cloud is a shield now.)

 

 

 

Her colors... gray coat, but not light like Derpy's, I think a bit darker would do, and her mane should be short, and dark blonde.

I used your tip on her coat, and the short mane idea was based off your advice, too! Thanks!

 

 

 

Swords might be nice, as would a sheild.

Used your idea for the Cutie Mark, too! And your OC looks amazing! Very original.

 

You've all been very kind! I'm still not sure about the race, though. Look-wise, that is. I'm leaning towards earth pony or unicorn. Pegasus doesn't make a lot of sense, even if I do think the wings look cute.

[Sobori 46]

Thank you. And I love how your OC came out. I really like how the unicorn came out.

[CadetGrey 267]

Eep! I forgot these cuties!

CRYSTAL PONY:

Edited April 24, 2014 by CadetGrey

[Colorful Respawn 399]

Aw, she turned out great! So cute!

[tripfly 264]

It looks amazing, and I think the earthpony look is the best

[CadetGrey 267]

 

 

It looks amazing, and I think the earthpony look is the best

 

Thank you so much! I'm really glad to hear such positive reactions, it was my first time drawing a pony, after all. I wasn't too sure about my 'different' style either, so once again: thank you!

[CadetGrey 267]

I'll be drawing my OC wielding as sword both as an Earth Pony and a Unicorn to help me decide. Earth Pony is already done, now working on Unicorn!

 

[Colorful Respawn 399]

So freakin' awesome, I love her!

Edited April 28, 2014 by Gemini Eclipsed

[CadetGrey 267]

So freakin' awesome, I love her!

 

Thank you sooo much, you always make me so happy!

Wielding a sword as a unicorn... aaand done! 

Edited April 28, 2014 by CadetGrey

[Colorful Respawn 399]

Can't wait to see the pegasus version of her 

[CadetGrey 267]

Well, here she is as a pegasus, @!

 

[SFyr 1,982]

These... are just adorable. 

I'm still biased towards the earth pony myself, though I feel I have to admit that the unicorn looks a bit more formidable.

Though both look like the type you don't want to mess with.

Maybe hug/befriend, but definitely not mess with. 

[Colorful Respawn 399]

Well, here she is as a pegasus, @!

 

Freakin' awesome! I love her so much!